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21st out of 138 books
—
53 voters
Alabama Moon
by
Watt Key (Goodreads Author)
I could trap my own food and make my own clothes. I could find my way by the stars and make fire in the rain. Pap said he even figured I could whip somebody three times my size. He wasn’t worried about me.
For as long as ten-year-old Moon can remember, he has lived out in the forest in a shelter with his father. They keep to themselves, their only contact with other human b...more
For as long as ten-year-old Moon can remember, he has lived out in the forest in a shelter with his father. They keep to themselves, their only contact with other human b...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
September 5th 2006
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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Moon is a 10-year-old boy who's been raised in the woods by his father. When his father dies, he has no idea who to trust or where to go, and immediately gets himself into trouble with the law. When I read the summary, I thought the story was going to take place a long time ago, but the setting is Alabama in 1980.
The characters in this story are fascinating and believable, and the story made me cry. I would recommend it to fans of wilderness survival (Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain) or realist...more
The characters in this story are fascinating and believable, and the story made me cry. I would recommend it to fans of wilderness survival (Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain) or realist...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Apr 30, 2013
Luke. Getman
added it
I am in the middle of reading ALABAMA MOON by Watt Key, and I love the main character .The main character Moon is my favorite because he's very inquisitive and wild and it makes him like no other. He's like that because when he saw a TV for the first time he was amazed and observed it .I also like him because he lives in the out doors and loves it to, mainly because he's like me.But unlike me he is not very handsome (lol)like how his hair is 1 foot long and how he's covered in dirt ,and like how...more
It was surprising to me, how even though the overal subject seemed just okay, it's really when you get down and read that the little details suck you in and make you keep reading. He really makes your feelings for Moon twist and turn between "tough guy" and helpless ten year-old. In the beginning, "I jumped up on the seat of my chair and leaped across the counter to land on Mr. Abroscotto" (Key 27) posses him as a ferocious kid. He keeps even this "outsider" with his childish roots, "I bit into...more
I personally thought this book was really interesting in the way it portrayed the main character's feelings and thoughts. I would say that Moon would be the most stubborn person you would ever meet if he were real. I also thought that it was interesting in how his character changed throughout the novel, in the beginning he did not care for anybody except himself and his well being. This is because he had adapted to the lifestyle of being isolated. Throughout the ending of the book, because he wa...more
This action packed adventure set in rural Alabama revolves around Moon, a ten-year-old boy who has lived his entire life living off the land in the forest with his father, a Vietnam Veteran survivalist, who dislikes rules and distrusts the government. After his father dies from a broken leg, refusing to see a doctor, Moon is left on his own. Before his father died, he told Moon to go to Alaska so Moon sets out to do this, but folks have different ideas about what is right for Moon. When Moon mak...more
I'm going to read this book but I can say with confidence that it will be 5 stars regardless of actual content.
I can say that because my son is at that age where he is perfectly between girl-crazy/Calvin and Hobbes adoring/outdoor survival obsessed. I believe it's called "pre-adolescence".
And the other day for the first time EVER he sat in his room for hours reading alone and listening to music too loudly.
When he got up to use the bathroom I teased him by asking if his seclusion was the beginnin...more
I can say that because my son is at that age where he is perfectly between girl-crazy/Calvin and Hobbes adoring/outdoor survival obsessed. I believe it's called "pre-adolescence".
And the other day for the first time EVER he sat in his room for hours reading alone and listening to music too loudly.
When he got up to use the bathroom I teased him by asking if his seclusion was the beginnin...more
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it hadn't reminded me so strongly of
My Abandonment
, a slightly more fantastic book about a child coping with the modern world after being raised all savage-like in the woods by a paranoid and Vietnam-scarred father.
Even ignoring that, the author has managed to create one of the most awesome prepubescent heroes I have ever read. There aren't many ten-year-olds who have bathed in deer blood, buried their own father, shot an aspirin bottle at 300 fe...more
Even ignoring that, the author has managed to create one of the most awesome prepubescent heroes I have ever read. There aren't many ten-year-olds who have bathed in deer blood, buried their own father, shot an aspirin bottle at 300 fe...more
2 likes · like · see review
Alabama Moon by Watt Key (2006)
Adventure, 304 pages
Moon Blake is only ten years old, but he knows how to survive in the wild and live off of the forest. Moon and his Pap have been avoiding the law and living in a half underground structure deep in the woods for almost all of Moon’s life. When his father dies unexpectedly and tells Moon to go to Alaska and find others like them, Moon is thrust into a whole new world outside the comfort of his natural surroundings. Moon then really learns what it’...more
Adventure, 304 pages
Moon Blake is only ten years old, but he knows how to survive in the wild and live off of the forest. Moon and his Pap have been avoiding the law and living in a half underground structure deep in the woods for almost all of Moon’s life. When his father dies unexpectedly and tells Moon to go to Alaska and find others like them, Moon is thrust into a whole new world outside the comfort of his natural surroundings. Moon then really learns what it’...more
Moon and his pap live in the forest in a hole in the ground. Though Moon's never known any other way, he does know how they live is different, and everything changes when the land around them begins to be sold. Suddenly, Moon's life turns upside down, as his father breaks his leg and dies from the wound, as he refuses to see a doctor. Moon is now property of the state until they can locate other relatives, and is sent to a boys' home. He can't stand being locked indoors, and devises an escape pl...more
Survival adventure! Moon Blake has lived in the Alabama forest with his anti-government father for as long as he can remember, hunting and gathering food and making rare trips to a small general store to trade for supplies they can't make themselves. Moon's father breaks his leg and before he dies he tells Moon that he must get to Alaska, where there are "more people like us." Moon buries his father, packs up the wheelbarrow and walks out into the world -- a place he is definitely not prepared f...more
The reason i chose this book is because its about the outdoors, hunting and ect. this book is about a kid named Moon Blake he lives with his dad under a tree. There living under there cause Pap the dad doesnt like the goverment. This book mainly takes place in a forest. Moon and his dad were out checking there traps to see if they got anything. One trap was across a river that was frozen. The dad went first to make sure it was safe to walk on. As soon as the dad walked on the ice it broke and he...more
1 like · like · see review
I really enjoyed this book, it was one of the best books I had ever read.
This book is about a 10 year old boy that was born in the wild, raised in the wild and lived in the wild, by wild I mean forest. Hid dad was an expert in living in the wilderness. But one day his dad's leg got infected, and a week after it cost his death. Before dying he left a note to his son saying that he had to go live to alaska with his auncle, because he was an illegal citizen. He didn't really knew what he meant. Bu...more
This book is about a 10 year old boy that was born in the wild, raised in the wild and lived in the wild, by wild I mean forest. Hid dad was an expert in living in the wilderness. But one day his dad's leg got infected, and a week after it cost his death. Before dying he left a note to his son saying that he had to go live to alaska with his auncle, because he was an illegal citizen. He didn't really knew what he meant. Bu...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Easy read and interesting story about a young boy raised in the wild until he is 10 and his father dies. I really liked!
I read this one after seeing a friend's review of it on Goodreads and I thought it might be a good "adventure" title to know about. Wow. Moon Blake (the main character) has been raised in the woods his whole life and is a very self-sufficient child. When his dad dies, he finds himself feeling a little lonely and ventures out into society. There, he has some run-ins with the law and LOTS of adventures ensue. I find myself feeling a little concerned that these boys do so many very dangerous things...more
3.5 stars really - very easy to read from beginning to end. It's on our school's summer reading list for kids going into 6th grade, which is about the right age. 10-year-old Moon has been raised in the forest by his survivalist father. When his father dies, authorities try to place Moon in a boy's home. He enlists the help of new friends to break out and live on their own. There is a mean constable out to get Moon who is a little clichéd or exaggerated, but I don't think the target audience will...more
i actually just read that book because my library had this one in it's original language and there are not many books in their original language for young readers.
the book is about a boy called moon, who grew up living in a forest far from civilization with his father. When his father dies moon is 10 years old and now on his own. His father told him to go to alaska cause there would be a lot people who live like they did.
The story is not really very good and i took a while to accept the writing...more
the book is about a boy called moon, who grew up living in a forest far from civilization with his father. When his father dies moon is 10 years old and now on his own. His father told him to go to alaska cause there would be a lot people who live like they did.
The story is not really very good and i took a while to accept the writing...more
This is juvenile fiction, about a young boy who has grown up in the woods and how he adapts once he is found by people. A good story.
I started reading this book because it is one of the Maud Hart Lovelace nominees for this year. This was the 10th book out of 12 that I've read from the nominations list, and it is one of my favorites so far. It is some of the best writing with some of the most unusual, interesting characters. It's sort of like the Jungle Book meets Dukes of Hazard. The main character, Moon, a 10 year old boy who has lived in the woods with his survivalist father his whole life faces some very unusual challenges...more
Alabama Moon is a strong, scrappy 10 year old who can whip people twice his size. He's lived since the age of two alone with his father in the forest. Together they've a hidden shelter, they grow vegetables, make their own clothes, hunt, forage, and stay away from the outside world. Moon's dad dislikes the government. He doesn't ask for anything and doesn't owe anyone. He's taught Moon to read and write and all he needs to know to survive.
When Moon's father dies, Moon buries him and begins prepa...more
When Moon's father dies, Moon buries him and begins prepa...more
I wasn't sure that I would like this book given the subject, but I just loved it. It is a fabulous adventure story. Moon was raised by his father in the forests of Alabama. They lived in a shelter hidden from the outside world and they lived off the land growing their own food and and hunting animals. Moon's father distrusted the government and has passed this belief on to his son. But Moon's father dies and at age ten Moon is on his own. The state tries to take custody of Moon, but he hates bei...more
Alabama Moon has been living with his father in the wilderness. Relying on nature alone, they avoid contact with other people, especially people from the government. Moon's father doesn't trust others. But when Moon's father dies, the very people he has been taught not to trust come to take care of him. Can he trust the adults in his life to do what's best for him, or would he be better off striking out on his own?
This was an interesting book. It did not cast a giant negative light on those who...more
This was an interesting book. It did not cast a giant negative light on those who...more
I liked this book quite a bit, but I would have loved it when I was 10 or 11. The titular character has been raised deep in a forest, far from civilization, by his government-hating father. So Moon is one self-sufficient 10 year old, able to survive in the wilderness by good 'ol hunting and gathering. When he is separated from his father, Moon essentially gets in a fight with the 21st century, or at least with all the authority figures who want to put him in a boys home, or worse. Sure there are...more
I thought it was ok, but nothing really interested me. I would read it again if i had to, but not for enjoyment. I thought it was going to be really good, but i was dissapointed. I didn't think it was well written. There was no really impressive vocabulary. I could have enjoyed it more if i was a 3 rd grader. Thats how easy it was for me to read. I didn't like when kit, moon's bff died. The only really good character was kit. To me moon was too perfect.He would act like how a kid with ni clue a...more
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I couldn't put it down!
This is the story of a child reared by his father in the middle of a huge forest in Alabama, the father a refugee from the war in VietNam. It is the story of how The System allows nasty, self-centered people to acquire power and then abuse it and the unfortunates over whom they have power.
In the telling, Moon Blake feeds and shelters his friends using the skills his father taught him: to live off the land as well as how to distrust everyone. Once Pap has died, we watch Mo...more
This is the story of a child reared by his father in the middle of a huge forest in Alabama, the father a refugee from the war in VietNam. It is the story of how The System allows nasty, self-centered people to acquire power and then abuse it and the unfortunates over whom they have power.
In the telling, Moon Blake feeds and shelters his friends using the skills his father taught him: to live off the land as well as how to distrust everyone. Once Pap has died, we watch Mo...more
What a great premise and voice. I got a little teary eyed towards the end.
Despite those words of praise, I think it could have been more succinct. I also found it a bit predictable.
I found this book unique in that it portrays several groups that are not often portrayed in middle grade novels-- people who hate the government and / or lead seriously alternative lifestyles, and the very poor white population, especially in the south. It didn't always do a perfect job in its portrayal (the line in...more
Despite those words of praise, I think it could have been more succinct. I also found it a bit predictable.
I found this book unique in that it portrays several groups that are not often portrayed in middle grade novels-- people who hate the government and / or lead seriously alternative lifestyles, and the very poor white population, especially in the south. It didn't always do a perfect job in its portrayal (the line in...more
I read this to Christine; it was one that made me look forward to our evening reading time. Original plot, and no stark characters. Parts are sad, parts are funny. Good ending.
Great book. Great, rich characters. Moon is a likable, feisty boy that I really came to admire. He has lived most of his ten years in the deep woods of Alabama with his Dad who despises "the government" and thinks they are out to get him. Despite being raised apart from society, Moon manages to have an innate ability to be a good judge of character, and to figure out that perhaps his Dad did not have all the answers. Left to survive on his own after his father dies, Moon feels alone and confused...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's The Name o...: Need help! Newer book about a boy left alone in the south. Sets off to find parent or relative [s] | 4 | 54 | Aug 13, 2012 06:49pm |
Feb 08, 2013 02:56pm
May 02, 2013 01:28pm